AVR would allow eligible New Yorkers to register to vote when they interact with a government agency (i.e., the DMV, Department of Health), streamlining the process and making it more accessible. Currently, there are 1.1 million New Yorkers who are eligible to vote, but unregistered. 15 states and Washington DC have already implemented some form of AVR. Last month the Senate held the first-ever hearing on AVR.

The New York State legislature is set to pass AVR on Wednesday.

WHO:

Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY

Senator Zellnor Myrie, Chair of the Elections Committee

Senator Mike Gianaris, sponsor of the AVR bill

Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, sponsor of the AVR bill

Carlyn Cowen, Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer at of the Chinese-American Planning Council